Commission for Railway Regulation
The Commission for Railway Regulation (CRR) is the independent state agency that has responsibility for a range of safety and economic regulatory functions for railways in the State.
Who are the CRR?
The CRR is an independent state agency reporting to the Minister of Transport, and it is celebrating its 20th year in 2026.
We are a compact agency with 19 staff with responsibility for oversight of Ireland’s railways. No railway operates without our approval, licence, certification or authorisation, and continued supervision.
We are central to the continued safe operation and future development of this key element of public transport.
Our mandate has recently expanded, and we have been designated as a competent authority under new EU legislation on cybersecurity (NIS2), critical entities resilience (CER) and artificial intelligence (AIA) for the rail and cableway sectors.
We look for people who are:
- Highly collaborative: seeks to work through, and places a high value in teamwork
- Open: encourages free communication and information sharing, welcoming challenges and ensuring everyone's voice is heard in shaping CRR's future.
- Agile: adaptable, flexible and a strong ‘can do attitude’.
- Accountable: commitment to team & company matched by a strong personal accountability. Proven capability with a track record of successful delivery.
- Innovative: eager to develop and try new approaches.
- Pragmatic: ability to deal with things realistically and open to alternative approaches.
Who do we regulate?
01 Heavy Rail
- Iarnród Éireann – Infrastructure Manager.
- Iarnród Éireann – Railway Undertaking.
- Rhomberg Sersa Ireland Limited.
- Translink – Northern Ireland Railways.
02 Light Rail
- Transdev (LUAS operator)
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
03 Others
- Railway Preservation society of Ireland.
- Heritage Railways
- Connemara
- Irish Steam Preservation Society
- Cavan & Leitrim
- Fintown
- Lartigue Monorail
- Waterford & Suir Valley
- Difflin Lake Railway.
- Industrial Railways.
- Dursey Island Cable car.
- Velorail operator.
How do we regulate?
As the Commission for Railway Regulation our key functions are to foster and encourage railway safety, to enforce legislation relating to railway safety, and to investigate and report on railway accidents and incidents, for the purpose of determining compliance with safety management systems and safety targets.
As the National Safety Authority, we:
Assess and Authorise
Ensure that all railway organisations operating have a safety management system that is assessed and approved by the CRR. That any new/ significantly modified infrastructure or rolling stock is authorised to be placed in service by either the CRR or the European Railway Agency.
Supervise.
Supervision is the on-going assessment by the CRR of railway organisations’ implementation of their approved safety management systems post CRR certification / authorisation. The Compliance, Supervision and Enforcement department of the CRR utilise audits, inspections, post occurrence activities, safety performance meetings and a wide range of meetings with railway organisations management teams to review their safety management systems application.
New Responsibilities
New EU legislation is coming into effect in 2026. This includes requirements on entities’ resilience and their ability to respond to events that could seriously impact operations, as well as requirements for cybersecurity across information technology and operational technology systems. For these frameworks, the CRR’s remit relates to the rail sector. We are also preparing for new oversight and market surveillance responsibilities for artificial intelligence, particularly as it relates to the cableway sector, subject to national designation arrangements.
The CRR has established a new Division to oversee this work. This is a key role that requires developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the entities that will be regulated by the CRR under these new requirements, and with the wider stakeholder group, including other competent authorities.
The Legal Landscape
The CRR navigates a legal landscape shaped by both National and European legislation, making it a dynamic player in the rail industry. With a diverse array of functions, the CRR has a pivotal role in advancing the Government's strategic development plans for new rail projects.
Our roles under the legislative framework include:
The Commission – We foster and encourage safety, supervise railway organisations and investigate occurrences.
National Safety Authority - We issue safety certification and authorisation, supervision, and enforcement.
Independent Monitoring Body - Monitoring the contractual agreement between Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure Manager and the Minister relating to the maintenance of the railway at a steady state.
Licencing Authority - Issue licences to railway undertakings.
Competent Authority - Issuing of licences to train drivers, and the recognition of train driver training and examination centres, the carriage of dangerous goods by rail, and the resilience of critical entities. Cybersecurity for rail transport; and Market Surveillance Authority for Cableways including AI.
Recognition Body - The recognition of Designated Bodies (DeBo) which perform conformity assessment for compliance of new infrastructure and rolling stock.
Authorising Body – Construction and Operation of cableways.
Our Core Values
Integrity
We are trustworthy and honest in all our activities.
Respect
We value and understand the positive impact of diversity of opinion.
Independence
We take responsibility for our decisions which are evidence based, fair and consistent.
Professionalism
We strive for excellence and the continuous development of our expertise.
Pragmatism
We recognise the challenges faced by our stakeholders and are solution driven whilst ensuring legislative requirements are met.
Culture at the CRR
01
Protection
Ensuring the safety of those who use or work on Ireland’s rail system.
02
Staff Development
Employees given opportunities to develop knowledge and skills.
03
Knowledge Sharing
We believe in open communication and share information regularly through various channels.
04
Compliance
Ensuring that all those operating in Ireland’s rail system meet their safety and regulatory responsibilities.
05
Team Work
We recognise that by working together we maximise our effectiveness.
06
Work Environment
We believe in providing a work environment that supports personal wellbeing.